Definition of exact
transitive verb
1 : to call for forcibly or urgently and obtain from them has been exacted the ultimate sacrifice — D. D. Eisenhower
2 : to call for as necessary or desirable
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Examples of exact in a Sentence
They would not rest until they had exacted revenge.
He was able to exact a promise from them.
Did You Know?
Exact derives from a form of the Latin verb exigere, meaning "to drive out, to demand, or to measure." (Another descendant of exigere is the word exigent, which can mean "demanding" or "requiring immediate attention.") Exigere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix ex- with the verb agere, meaning "to drive." Agere has been a very prolific source of words for English speakers; it is the ancestor of agent, react, mitigate, and navigate, just to name a few. Incidentally, if you are looking for a synonym of the verb exact, you could try demand, call for, claim, or require.
Origin and Etymology of exact
Middle English, to require as payment, from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere to drive out, demand, measure, from ex- + agere to drive — more at agent
First Known Use: 1564
Synonym Discussion of exact
exact
Definition of exact
1 : exhibiting or marked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard
2 : marked by thorough consideration or minute measurement of small factual details
Examples of exact in a Sentence
Those were his exact words.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
We don't know the exact nature of the problem.
Predicting the path of hurricanes is not an exact science.
The police have an exact description of the killer.
Please take the most exact measurements possible.
He is very exact in the way he solves a problem.
Origin and Etymology of exact
Latin exactus
First Known Use: 1533
Synonym Discussion of exact
EXACT Defined for English Language Learners
exact
playDefinition of exact for English Language Learners
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: to demand and get (something, such as payment or revenge) especially by using force or threats
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—used in phrases like exact a terrible toll and exact a high/heavy price to say that something has caused a lot of suffering, loss, etc.
exact
Definition of exact for English Language Learners
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: fully and completely correct or accurate
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: very careful and accurate
EXACT Defined for Kids
Definition of exact for Students
exacted
;exacting
: to demand and get by force or threat They exacted terrible revenge.
Learn More about exact
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See words that rhyme with exact Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exact Spanish Central: Translation of exact Nglish: Translation of exact for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of exact for Arabic speakers
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